While unhappy with potential changes, New Blaine residents say they understand

By Lindsey Williams

community@couriernews.com

The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced last week that it would begin to study post offices across the country, particularly those in smaller communities, for possible closure. Locally, post offices in Bluffton, Casa, Jerusalem, Scotland, Delaware, New Blaine, Pelsor and Oark are potentially on the chopping block.

These small community post offices are often the only landmark signifying a town, where locals go to not only conduct their business, but catch up on the latest community news.

Juanita Purifoy, 63, a resident of New Blaine, said she wouldn't be pleased to see her local office go.

"I'd hate to see it because I live just down the road a mile," she said. "The way the economy is now, I wouldn't get my mail every day because the gas is so high. It would be very inconvenient, but I can see the necessity of these closures."

Lisa Tolliver Gay, a customer relations representative for the postal service in Arkansas, said she wasn't sure when a decision would be made as to which offices would close because the study is just now underway.

"We will be starting the study very shortly," she said. "One hundred and seventy-nine offices in Arkansas have been identified in the study. Because we have so many in Arkansas, we have to prioritize them and review the information."

Tolliver Gay said the post offices in the study were included due to several factors.

"These offices have been identified because they had a low customer demand, an insufficient workload, there is not enough work in the office for the hours they are open and also the availability of a nearby alternative like a different location or postal contract unit."

Residents of New Blaine and Delaware would have to drive as far as Paris, Dardanelle or Russellville to handle their business, as Joe Clevenger said he would do if both locations were to close.

"I can understand, you know, trying to save money," the New Blaine resident said. "I'm not going to like driving to Russellville or Paris to get my stamps, but I understand."

Clevenger said he frequents the New Blaine post office to mail packages containing items and souvenirs from his son, a missionary in the Philippines.

"I came in this morning and mailed a bunch of packages," the 70-year-old said. "If it closes, it normally wouldn't affect me because I drive to Russellville often, but for something like today it would.

"I can understand the need to save money," he continued. "I need to, too. All of us do anymore."